What Patton Made German Civilians Do When He Found the First Camp

On April 4, 1945, the Allied forces were advancing through Germany, the air filled with the scent of spring as the trees bloomed and the sun shone down on a war-torn landscape. However, for General George S. Patton, the beauty of the day was overshadowed by a stench so horrific that it brought his armored division to a halt. As Patton and his men drove down a quiet country road near the town of Gotha, they were met with an odor that was unmistakable—a foul combination of decay and death. Little did they know, they were about to uncover a horror that would haunt them forever.

The Discovery of Ordruff

Patton, riding in his command car, was curious about the source of the smell. He initially speculated it might be a chemical or glue factory processing dead animals. But when an officer returned from a reconnaissance mission, pale and shaken, reporting that they had discovered a concentration camp, Patton’s curiosity turned to dread. He quickly drove to the site, a sub-camp of Buchenwald called Ordruff.

What he found inside those gates was beyond comprehension. The camp was a scene of unimaginable horror. The SS guards had fled, but not before committing unspeakable atrocities. As Patton entered, he was greeted by the sight of emaciated prisoners, their bodies resembling walking skeletons, their eyes wide with terror. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, and Patton was struck by the sheer brutality of what he witnessed.

The Impact of the Horrors

Patton, known for his toughness and military prowess, was visibly shaken. He walked behind a shed and vomited, the sight of the tortured souls overwhelming even his steely resolve. But after the initial shock came a cold, terrifying rage. He was not just a soldier; he was a leader, and he felt a deep responsibility to ensure that the world understood the horrors that had taken place.

His anger turned toward the nearby town of Ordruff, where the German civilians had lived in ignorance, pretending not to see the suffering just miles away. Patton’s fury boiled over as he realized that they must be held accountable for their complicity. He issued a bold order: round up the mayor, his wife, and the other leading citizens of the town. They would witness the atrocities committed in their name.

The Forced March of Civilians

The next day, as the trucks arrived to collect the townspeople, they were dressed in their Sunday best, unaware of the reality they were about to face. Patton wanted them to see the consequences of their indifference. The civilians were led through the camp, forced to confront the piles of corpses, the torture devices, and the remnants of the horrors that had occurred within those walls.

As they walked through the camp, their faces changed from annoyance to horror. The sight of the dead and dying prisoners was overwhelming, and many began to weep. Patton stood back, watching with a grim satisfaction as the townspeople were forced to confront the reality of their complicity in the Nazi regime.

The Mayor’s Despair

Among the civilians was the mayor of Ordruff, who trembled as he faced the evidence of the atrocities. When confronted by Patton, he could not deny his guilt. The general’s words cut deep: “You knew, didn’t you?” The mayor’s silence spoke volumes, and Patton’s anger only intensified as he realized the depth of the townspeople’s denial.

After the two-hour tour, the civilians were returned to their homes, visibly shaken and covered in the dust of the camp. Patton felt a sense of justice; he believed he had delivered a lesson that would resonate throughout the community.

The Tragic Aftermath

However, the impact of that day would take a tragic turn. The mayor and his wife returned to their home, and the weight of their guilt became unbearable. The next morning, they were found dead, having taken their own lives. A note was discovered, stating, “We cannot live with this shame.” Patton, upon hearing the news, showed no pity. His response was chilling: “Well, that is two less Nazis we have to feed.”

Eisenhower’s Response

The liberation of Ordruff had a profound effect not only on Patton but also on General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Recognizing the potential for denial of the Holocaust in the future, Eisenhower ordered that every unit nearby document the horrors they had witnessed. He famously declared, “Get it all on record now because the day will come when some son of a [ __ ] will say this never happened.”

A Turning Point in the War

The events at Ordruff were pivotal. They transformed the perception of the war among American soldiers, who began to understand that they were fighting against pure evil, not just for political reasons. One young GI reflected in his diary, “I will never feel sorry for a German again. I know what we are fighting for now. We are fighting monsters.”

Ordruff was not one of the largest camps, but it was the first to be liberated by American forces on the Western Front. Its impact was profound, ripping away the veil of secrecy that had allowed the German populace to deny their complicity in the atrocities of the Nazi regime.

Conclusion

The liberation of Ordruff stands as a testament to the horrors of war and the depths of human cruelty. General Patton’s actions that day, driven by anger and a desire for justice, forced the world to confront the reality of the Holocaust. His decision to make the townspeople witness the consequences of their indifference was a pivotal moment in history, ensuring that the truth would not be forgotten.

As we reflect on these events, we are reminded of the importance of accountability and the need to confront evil wherever it exists. The legacy of the liberation of Ordruff serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against tyranny and hatred is a battle that must continue, lest we forget the lessons of the past.